His expression hardens, but he doesn’t interrupt.
“And how exactly did you come by this information?” he asks finally. His tone sharpens, controlled and dangerous. “Iggy told you all of this?”
I didn’t expect the scrutiny to turn this quickly. I keep my composure anyway.
“Yes. After I was taken, he started putting things together on his own, but kept it to himself because he didn’t want to insert himself. It started with the men he saw that night, then when he talked to Ridge, he connected some of the guys.”
My father’s jaw tightens. He says nothing.
I continue, because silence is a test. “The motive fits. The Duvalls wanted control of the shipping lanes, and Robert refused to negotiate. So they escalated.”
Laurent leans back, steepling his fingers. The room seems to hold its breath with him. Seconds pass. I don’t fill them.
“Do you think you’re equipped to be digging into something like this? How do you have all of this? And why are you going into all of this?”
God, he can be such a condescending asshole sometimes. Most of the time.
“Iggy just mentioned it to me. I wasn’t looking for it. And, no, I don’t think I’m some investigator. I just thought you would want to know.”
“The Duvalls,” he says slowly, the name losing weight as he turns it over. “They’re not powerful enough for something like this, which tells me they didn’t move out of ambition. They moved because they were desperate, and desperation at that level rarely acts alone.”
His gaze lifts to mine. “So what does Ridge Stone intend to do with the information?”
My chest tightens at Ridge’s name, but I keep my voice steady. “From what I understand, he intends to act on it.”
“How do you know, Corinne?”
I swallow hard and try not to show how much that question shakes me. “Just what I heard.”
A slow curl touches my father’s mouth. It is not a smile.
“Of course he is. Reckless boy. Always has been.” His voice hardens. “Just like his father.”
Then his attention snaps back to me. “But do not confuse grief with justification, Corinne. What Ridge Stone did to you is not excused by any of this.”
“Papa—”
“He let you go,” Laurent cuts in, raising a hand. “That is the only reason things are civil. For now.”
My pulse jumps. “He didn’t hurt me,” I say carefully. “I told you that. It was a mistake, and when he realized it, he fixed it.”
“Enough.” His voice drops, final. “I knew the truth would surface eventually, and I knew I would be vindicated.”
His eyes bore into mine. “He took you and thought he could use you, my only daughter, as a bargaining position. That’s not a misunderstanding. That is a line crossed that no man forgets.”
I swallow, but I don’t look away. “I understand. But if his focus is on the Duvalls, maybe this can end without this turning into something permanent.”
Laurent lets out a low, humorless sound.
“You think I care about sparing him?” He shakes his head. “Let him deal with the Duvalls. If they destroy each other in the process, that’s not my concern. If Ridge Stone wants revenge, he can drown in it.”
The words land heavier than I expect. I lace my fingers together in my lap to keep from reacting.
“And you?” I ask. “What will you do?”
“I’ll do what any smart businessman does,” he replies, calm again. “I’ll wait until all of this finishes, and when the dust settles, the Boudreauxs will be stronger for it.”
His gaze sharpens. “What I want to know is why this mattered enough for you to bring it to me.”
